In 2020, Lesotho's annual estimated postharvest losses were 3,868 tonnes for maize, 481 tonnes for sorghum, 235 tonnes for wheat. The highest and lowest estimated postharvest loss percentages are 15.4% for maize and 10.5% for wheat.
Within the value chain, for all crops the majority of loss is estimated to be happening at harvesting/field drying. Within Lesotho, the highest postharvest losses in tonnes occur for maize in Mafeteng, for sorghum in Berea, for wheat in Leribe. Regarding the nutritional losses, the estimated maize grain lost postharvest could have met the annual energy (kcal) dietary requirements of 15,521 people.
To view the list of studies used to estimate these losses, please see the References tab.
Top 3 crops with the highest production quantity in tonnes.
| Maize | Sorghum | Wheat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production quantity in tonnes | 25,160 tonnes | 4,255 tonnes | 2,233 tonnes |
| Loss % | 15.4% | 11.3% | 10.5% |
| Losses in tonnes | 3,868 tonnes | 481 tonnes | 235 tonnes |
| Financial value | – | – | – |
| % of national agricultural GDP | – | – | – |
| # of people whose annual energy (kcal) requirements could have been met by the lost crop | 15,521 people | 2,032 people | 898 people |
See full postharvest losses data tables with loss percentage › | losses in tonnes › | nutritional losses ›
See full value chain data table with estimated losses in percentage › | tonnes › | USD ›